Chapter Text
Why is it always so nosy in this city and when is everyone up so damn early. Its the weekend?
Toph sits up in her bed in the middle of her very specious Apartment. Her parents made sure they spared no expense after helping the Avatar save the world. Everything was very sparse. She couldnt stand the silk or the decorations, not like she can decorate anyway. She is sure Sokka put some things up when she is not home. Suddenly she Hears a small peck on the window. No doubt some messenger Raven from her family or from some of the Council members. Ugh. Annoying. Its better than being with my parents. She slides over along the concrete floor to the window and aimless puts her hand out to find the small bird. After some good tries, she puts it in the palm of her hand and takes out the small parchment.
" Penny! I need your melon! Same Doofus forgot I cant read.. Thank you" Called Toph through the small Corridor to the quarters of the students that stay here to be trained by her. It doesnt take long for a small girl with green hair in a thick leather jacket and glasses to come strolling into the room. She could smell it as soon as she woke up. She was cooking one of her signature breakfasts.
" Yeah you called. Uh Master? "
" Yeah read this fucking Letter. If you dont mind, because I dont. "
Penny takes a view looks at the parchment and opens its and examines to reveal a water Trible seal.
" Yeah Apparently, I told the mayors office not to bother the Earth Keep on the weekends. Buuut. This you will like this one. It is from Sokka!"
This perked Tophs interest. Its been a few weeks since he was in town. He said he would be visiting this week but Toph has not heard anything.
" What's the stud got to say? No word in weeks? Thats soo odd of him?" Toph replies
" Well its says and I quote
Heyyyy Hows it hanging ole buddy. Still ironing out those recuits? I miss ya and Ill come visit soon. I know you have been alone since we all travel. Thanks for helping out with the city. We all appreciate it. I talked to Aang and he says he has some yummy Air temple dish-"
" Yuck , Pass"
- Anyway, I did some talking around aaand. Our Esteemed Firelord Zuko is going to be stopping there in a soon for some official new democratic assembly and logistic thing.. He couldnt say no to getting out of the palace and taking a break. He wont know you are there. I assumed in would be a good suprise for the both of you. Any yada yada. hush hush. Give a good hug from me and Suki. Talk to you soon. Melon Lord. :)
Zuko is coming here. Last time Zuko left the capital was to visiting Aang and Katara's wedding two years ago. It would be good to see him. Hope he is not some boring aristocrat or whatever.
So what did Sokka say? Did he mention my welding gear he always says he " borrows?
Toph smirks. Sokka always stole her stuff. He always gave it back
" No its Zuko, the uh Fire Lord. Ring a bell, Apparently big shot is going to be in town but in an unofficial manner. "
Toph senses a couple more students lingering around her door.
" I CAN still see you Winnie and Brett. What did I say against snooping. I fucking hate that. You guys aren't smooth. "
Two small Earth Bending apprentices sheepishly come in to view. They bow slightly.
" We are sorry master. We came to your quarters to ask we could have Liberty outside of the keep. Then you mention Firelord Zuko is coming. We knew you were friends but that is so exciting! Can we meet him?"
Toph squares her shoulders and her eyebrows and grins at the two students.
" You want to meet Zuko huh? A part of the team to save the world? What do you squirts think you did to deserve this huh? As you well know. I am the best member of the Avatar team. So you should be fawning over me. You... Master. Tch. Still feels weird to say it.
Penny leans against the wall. Almost toppling a framed picture of the avatar team. She adjusts it. She then kneels down. Smoothing out their cloths with a small pat. Her Earth bender skirt swaying.
" Oh come on Mast- Toph. It would be a nice gesture. It is the Holiday after all. "
Penny was the top student of the Keep Academy. She knew Toph the most and gotten close over the past couple of years.
" How about this. You and the boys still have to do alot of practice drills, We will go get some food for dinner, and plan something fun and come back. Let's let Master have some personal time with her friend. If he shows up. Then we can. I'd think she would like that. ? Penny Teases
Toph shrugs. adjusting her earth blazer for the cold elements. Not meeting their eye.
" Yeah, Yeah. Go buy some Jennemite or sweet buns. Whatever you runts want. Its on my Yuan. No trouble though? I have a reputation to uphold you know. Now go. I need to do something. " Toph insists.
With a soft Bow. The Students turn on their heel and scurry away.
" Good Kids. ,
Some hours later. Toph is in the Gathering hall the Earth keep school. It was a huge fortress of stone and decorate marble.
How did they decorate it last year? Serana handled it. I remember the general layout. Come on Toph. Oh right! 3 Pillars to the left. Mediun archway along the periphery and sloping stairway. Medium dance from by the south? Whatever its south way.
Toph then takes a stance, moving the stone priceless but slowly. Her Seismic sense This is the training grounds. Chiseling out an entire new room until it looks like a proper place to celebrate.
" There, I think that should do it. Of course it is. I dont do things wrong. maybe somethings. They deserve it. They all do.
Gracefully she struts outside and sits by a nearby tree. Stretching out and putting her hood over here face. Legs crossed extended. The snow was falling heavily tonight. There were a few carts of people heading into town. There was a few Waterbenders that were making sculptures of some random animal and some were just play fighting. The air felt brisk on her face. She opened her mouth to catch a flake on her tongue. Realizing it tasted like shit due to the city, she spat it out. The whole street was filld with lights. So many people filled the city from everywhere since the city started building. Toph brought her knees to her chest and put her face down.
I miss you guys. I know you are all doing your own thing. Aang rebuilding the air nation with Katara. Zuko is doing whole rebuilding the fire nation. Sokka is off with Suki right now on Kyoshi Island. I am trying to do good here with the city and public. I started my school and I am happy for them. Why do I feel so alone?
Standing up and brushing the snow off her coat, she senses her vender friend nearby selling some hot food. It smells pretty good. It smells like some stew. She walks over and greets her.
" Toph Beifong? Off on an evening stroll? Its good to see you my dear. Enjoying the Holiday? Care for some of my signature stew. It has the good fat. The ones from the Southern Water Tribe"
" Yeah will have some. Thank you. It smells good. Im sure it looks just as good."
: " Here you go. Vana, wow this is delicious! I knew I needed to clear my head. "
" Clear your head? Why? something on your mind? "
" Nothing Major. Ill be okay. You know me" Toph raised a fist in the air.
" Okay, dear. It was good to see. You. Junne says hello too. She is enjoying your school so much!"
Toph nodded appreciatedly.
" Junne is a quick learner. Master Muria has told me good things. Still a bit of a odd ball though. I like him. "
" Being peculiar makes things so much more fun. Thats how I met my husband. "
Curious.
" How did you know? When the right person comes? It is all is explosions and BOOM romance. Or does it is my fault ?" Asked Toph.
" You know thats a good question. It depends on the person. I believe when it came to my husband. I just stopped being stubborn. and risked something for someone. "
: Yeah that solid. Thanks. Ill be around. "
Toph rock surfed down the street toward an sparsely populated area. Still slurping the soup.
The Kids shouldn't be back at the school for another hour or so. I feel like I need to pick a fight with someone and blow some steam off.
She squats and launches off the ground sending off the ground onto a nearby roof top. Leaping from top to top. Toph then slides down a sloped roof top to a random alley. Sensing the area around her. Everyone is normal. Disappointing.
Then she feels someone break open a door to her right. 3 guys with non benders with blunt force objects.
Finallyyy
Toph drops back underground and rolls backward toward the commotion.
" Just get in, and get out. No funny business. If someone is in there. Just kill them. We were never here. " says one thug
" Sounds good to me. "
The thugs break the glass and get inside. Boots slapping against the concrete floors. Enveloped in darkness. One ignites a nearby lamp. Revealing Toph sitting down on one of the couches.
" Evening gentleman. Hows the kids. Come on what would the Avatar do? Disappointing. " Jokes Toph.
" Why the fuck would we care? You arent the Avatar. Leave us alone or else. " Threatens the Thug.
Toph snorts. Nodding in their direction.
" You are Right. You just got an upgrade. Lights out guys"
The oil lanterns explode with shattered projectiles of metal from the windows and ceiling. Toph pivots and punches the air picking up one thug and slamming him to the top of the house. While spinning summoning a wall of rock forcing them outside. Toph rushes outside moving the ground till they slam into another adjacent wall pining them in a square box with a small slit. One more wall is created on the other side shutting them on the other side.
One of the thugs coughs up a bit of thug. pinned against the others.
" Let us out you fuck. Kick Rocks you Bi-" Toph shuts them fully inside. Interrupting them.
" Heh good. one. Ironic"
" The other Enforcer people or whatever they are called should be here soon. Enjoy your night. Wont be seeing you around. "
Toph opens a slit for them to breathe and Surfs away. Back to the Earth Keep. She looks up toward the sky.
" Sorry Aang, I know you would've handled that better. "
The Night passes and she makes it back. No sign of the Students back yet.
" Guess I have some time to kill. I have not had this much free time in a while. "
With a sudden shot straight up. She lands up an open part of the Keep near the upper tower. There is a long full hall of statues and different designs that line the side of the hall. With a wave and pivot, the entrance slides open. All Statues of Aang, Katara, Zuko, Sokka, Suki. Largest and most prominent was one of her. Not to strut her own style but she built this whole keep herself. A handle is placed on the Leg of the figure. Toph looks straight down feeling her cloths.
" I need to change. I must look like a awesome sea slug right now. As much as these are nice and comfy-"
Like a shiver in her spine. She bends upword forming a stone wall and a few spears toward the entrance. Raising up above it in the thin room.
" Bad Idea to sneak up of the greatest and deadliest Earth master in the world shithead. "
Like a wish. The room is consumed by warmth and all sides.
Wait I never light the torches in here. Why would this person do-"
" You know, You may be right about that. no.. but how about a friend?. You look absolutely stunning by the way.
Tophs mind lights up feeling the vibration in his body one more time. Realizing. It had to be him! He is Huge! Is he 6'3? Built like hell. There is only one person I know with that body type.
" Holy shit? Zuko? This made my Night" With a Wide Grin. The Room turns back to normal. Arms wrap around his huge arms. Cheek pressed up against his tricep. She squeezed tight. Zuko was so warm.
Was Zuko always this warm? Fuck his arm is as big as my throat.
" Its good to see you to Toph. I should have told you I was coming. I had this Fire Lord thing I had to take care of and I thought- wanted to come visit you. So let me get a good look at you.
Zukos had cupped the chin and pointed it upward. It was enormous. It felt really really nice.
" How do I look? Like a badass, Earth bending Master? Warrior Princess... pretty?"
" You look like someone I should have come to see alot sooner. Being adult really is a drag. "
After a brief moment hulking arms are wrapped around her torso. The smell is.... different. He really is a royal. Something other Flowery with a scent something nutty.
" I remember when you liked Hugs. So. "
" Sensory thing but yeah, Ha.... Hey Zuko, You arent leaving tonight are you?
" No why? Not a chance I would ditch after just getting here. so uh no?"
" I had this thing planned. Well my head Student Penneth, I call her Penny. I was throwing like a party. You should stay. I want you to stay. That would be good. "
" I will have to think about it. I may have VERY important Fire-lord"
Elbow back, her Fist lands with strong punch to the top of his shoulder. He flinches.
" OH , Firelakes that hurt! YOU really have got stronger too. What did you do that for? "
" Remember you Turtleduck. Thats how I show affection. duh!"
" Yeaah, you haven't changed. " Zuko pokes her back playfully.
Zuko HAS changed. Since the first time we met. A grin on his face.
" You have, I'd glad. We really needed you. I still didnt get a life changing adventure!"
" I have you, and everyone to thank for that. How about a fun night here together and catch up?
" Right out Hotman" salutes
" Now Carry me. "
" Carry you why? You look heavy. Its a long walk downstairs. " Zuko replies.
" I am NOT heavy. I am dense. Its from years of training. Now carry me."
"You wont be able to see Toph?"
Exasperated. " Mhm , I know. "
Zuko then grabs her by the waist. The pair descend the very tall stairwall where the main hall is. Passing by a large arrange of different rooms and backrooms. Zukos hands resting Gently at the dip of her waist and ass. Tophs arms are wrapped around his neck. The curves of his pec against her stomach. Zuko was alot bigger than her, even though Toph is the biggest at the academy, compared to all of them. He readjust her in his arms. Flinging her up slightly.
" Sorry, about that. Are you just too lazy to walk? Also what are all these rooms for? I thought this was a teaching school?"
" Oh its just competitive bending. Something knew they have In republic city. I tried it, Im good but it bores me. "
" Things change alot huh so fast" Zuko admits.
" Yeah does... So find a way to stick around more Hotshot!" She pounds his arm again.
" Okayyyy you can put me down now. I got a reputation to uphold "
She is let down softly. A hand brushes over her head smoothing it down. The Seismic sense instantly notices the students in the grand hall.
" Master Toph, Are you around? Did you get called in by the city? we got things ready. Mas.. Toph. You did good with the Deocor- FIRELORD ZUKO? "! chirps Penny.
Toph grinned and kept walking.
" Relax and can you take Hot guy here to the nice rooms. He is invited to the shindig. I will freshen in my room and be out. Also, I need a check over if you don't mind. No reason.
Toph walks away. Her muscular frame filling the walls.
That can be the same person right? Where have I been? The same Toph? Has she always been that way?